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Relocation Guide

Welcome to Fayetteville!

PCSing to Fort Liberty? This comprehensive guide will help you navigate housing, schools, utilities, and everything you need to make Fayetteville your home. With over 210,000 residents and 50,000+ military personnel, Fayetteville is one of America's most military-friendly communities.

Good News: Fayetteville's cost of living is approximately 16% lower than the U.S. average, making it an affordable choice for military families. Explore our military resources and military-friendly businesses to ease your transition.

PCS Timeline & Preparation

Start your PCS process as soon as you receive orders. The recommended timeline is 60 days before your move to ensure smooth transition.

PCS Checklist:

  1. Notify Current Unit: Contact S-1 or personnel office to begin clearance procedures
  2. Schedule Move Date: Coordinate with transportation office (TMO/PPPO) early for best moving dates
  3. Research Housing: Decide on-post vs. off-post and begin applications/searches
  4. School Enrollment: Contact School Liaison Officer for registration guidance
  5. Arrange Temporary Lodging: Book hotel/TLF if needed between move-out and move-in
  6. Update Records: DEERS, TRICARE, ID cards, driver's license, vehicle registration
  7. Connect Utilities: Schedule electricity, gas, internet, water setup 1-2 weeks before arrival

Housing Options & Neighborhoods

Fort Liberty is one of the world's largest military installations, offering extensive and varied housing options from historic officers' quarters to modern suburban developments. Most military families budget $1,200-$2,000/month for comfortable off-post housing.

On-Post Housing (Managed by Corvias Military Living)

  • • Ardennes/Bataan Neighborhoods: Popular with enlisted personnel, family-friendly with playgrounds and community amenities
  • • Hammond Hills: Premium community ideal for officers, newer construction with updated amenities
  • • Casablanca/Anzio Acres: Excellent for families with children, close proximity to playgrounds, schools, and youth centers
  • • Benefits: Utilities included, lawn maintenance provided, pet-friendly options, 2-4 bedrooms based on rank and family size
  • • Apply Early: Waitlists vary by neighborhood and home size; apply 90+ days before PCS date

Off-Post Neighborhoods (Popular Choices)

Haymount

Historic neighborhood with tree-lined streets and charming Victorian homes. Walking distance to downtown Cool Spring District. Known for good schools, community events, and Southern charm. Ideal for families seeking character and walkability.

Vanstory Hills

Desirable family neighborhood with excellent schools, parks, and community amenities. Safe, quiet streets with well-maintained homes. Popular with military families for stability and school quality.

Rockfish / Eastover

Suburban communities northwest of Fayetteville offering larger lots, newer construction, and highly-rated Cumberland County schools. Family-friendly with low crime and outdoor recreation access.

Hope Mills

Charming small-town suburb south of Fayetteville with its own downtown, parks, and lake access. Strong sense of community, good schools, and 15-20 minutes to Fort Liberty gates. Lower cost of living than Fayetteville proper.

Spring Lake

Closest civilian community to Fort Liberty main gates (5-10 minutes). Very military-friendly with many businesses offering military discounts. Affordable housing options, though smaller selection than Fayetteville.

Raeford

Rural community northwest of Fort Liberty offering affordable housing, larger properties, and peaceful country living. Trade-off is 20-30 minute commute to post. Popular with families seeking space and budget-friendly options.

Schools & Education

Fayetteville offers diverse educational options for military families, from Department of Defense schools on-post to one of North Carolina's largest public school systems off-post.

On-Post DoD Schools (Fort Liberty)

  • • 7 Elementary Schools: Serving grades Pre-K through 4 (plus one Pre-K through 5 school)
  • • 1 Intermediate School: Grades 5-6
  • • 1 Junior High School: Grades 7-9
  • • Note: 9th graders can choose between on-post junior high or Cumberland County high schools. All students grades 10-12 attend Cumberland County high schools off-post.
  • • Benefits: Smaller class sizes, military-connected student support, understanding of deployment cycles and frequent moves

Off-Post Cumberland County Schools

  • • One of NC's Largest: Nearly 90 schools serving the Cumberland County area
  • • Military Student Support: Dedicated programs and resources for military-connected students
  • • School Liaison Officer: Available on Fort Liberty to assist with enrollment, school selection, and special needs placement
  • • Highly-Rated Schools: Many schools in Haymount, Vanstory Hills, Eastover, and Hope Mills receive excellent ratings

Higher Education & Private Options

  • • Fayetteville State University: One of NC's oldest public HBCUs, military-friendly with flexible programs
  • • Methodist University: Private university with strong military and veteran support services
  • • Fayetteville Technical Community College: Serving 40,000+ students annually, VA education benefits accepted, 300+ programs
  • • Private Schools: Multiple options including Trinity Christian School, Fayetteville Academy, and religious-affiliated schools
  • • Homeschool Community: Active network with co-ops, support groups, and educational resources

Tip: Contact the School Liaison Officer on Fort Liberty as soon as you receive orders to start the enrollment process and learn about school options in your chosen neighborhood.

Utilities & Services

Essential Services to Set Up:

  • • Electricity: Duke Energy or Cape Fear EMC
  • • Water/Sewer: City of Fayetteville or Cumberland County
  • • Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas
  • • Internet/Cable: Spectrum, AT&T, Google Fiber (select areas)
  • • Trash: City-provided or private service

Getting Around

  • • Car Recommended: Most areas require personal transportation
  • • FAST Transit: Public bus system serving Fayetteville
  • • Traffic: Plan for gate traffic during peak hours (0600-0800, 1600-1800)
  • • Airports: Fayetteville Regional (local), Raleigh-Durham (1 hour)

Healthcare

  • • Womack Army Medical Center: On-post military hospital
  • • Cape Fear Valley Health: Major civilian hospital system
  • • VA Medical Center: For eligible veterans
  • • Urgent Care & Specialists: Numerous options throughout area

Helpful Resources

  • • Army Community Service (ACS): Relocation assistance on Fort Liberty
  • • Housing Office: On-post housing applications and waitlists
  • • School Liaison Officer: School enrollment and placement help
  • • Spouse Employment: Career counseling and job placement
  • • Newcomers Orientation: Regular briefings for new arrivals